3261: If a Muslim says
the name of Allaah over the meat of the People of the Book, does this mean that it is
permissible for him to eat it?

I very doubtfull about the fact that many
muslims say that if a christian or a jew give you meat to eat, we must say basmala to make
it halal. But the islam teaches us that what is haraam is still haraam, even there is a
good intention (i.e. to say basmala)

Praise be to Allaah.

The scholars agree unanimously that it is permissible to
eat the meat of the People of the Book, Jews and Christians, if the name of Allaah is
mentioned at the time of slaughter, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Eat
not of that (meat) on which Allaah’s Name has not been pronounced (at the time of
slaughtering of the animal)…” [al-An’aam 6:121]. If the person
mentioned a name other than that of Allaah, such as the name of ‘Uzayr or of the
Messiah, then it is not permissible to eat of it, because of the general meaning of the
aayah (interpretation of the meaning): “He has forbidden you… that which is
slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allaah.” [al-Baqarah 2:173].

It is also a condition that the meat should be slaughtered in the
manner prescribed by sharee’ah. If it is known that the slaughter was not done in the
proper Islamic manner, e.g., by strangulation or electric shock and so on, then it is
haraam.

As for the claim that some make, that it is enough merely to mention
the name of Allaah when eating, this was reported regarding some Muslims who were new in
Islam. The Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) asked the Prophet
(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) about this, saying, “O Messenger of Allaah, some
people who are new in Islam brought us some meat, and we do not know whether they
mentioned the name of Allaah over it or not.” The Prophet
(peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “Say the name of Allaah over it and eat it.” (Reported
by al-Bukhaari). The command should be understood as meaning that one
should be on the safe side, provided that one does not know beforehand that the meat is
not slaughtered properly. And Allaah knows best.